Canada's PM Justin Trudeau wore ‘brownface’ to a party in 2001

A photo has emerged of the Canadian prime minister wearing "brownface" makeup to a 2001 party at the private school where he used to be a teacher.

Justin Trudeau is defending his track record which has angered his progressive base. Source: AAP

Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau wore “brownface” makeup at a private school party nearly 20 years ago, a photo obtained by Time magazine suggests.

The 2001 yearbook picture appears to show Mr Trudeau with skin-darkening make-up on his face at a party.

At the time, he was a teacher at the West Point Grey Academy, an elite private school in Vancouver.

The magazine reports that out of all photos of that party in the yearbook, Mr Trudeau appears to be the only one who darkened his skin.

A spokeswoman for Mr Trudeau’s ruling political party confirmed in Time’s report that he was in the photo.

“It was a photo taken while he was teaching in Vancouver, at the school’s annual dinner which had a costume theme of ‘Arabian Nights’,” said Zita Astravas, the media relations lead of the Liberal Party of Canada.

“He attended with friends and colleagues dressed as a character from Aladdin.”

The image is potentially damaging for the prime minister who is standing for re-election on October 21.